Lot 106: John Wright (British, d.1820)

Thomas Garth R.N., wearing Naval uniform, blue coat with gold trim, black stock and white cravat
signed on reverse Jn Wright/ Burlington/ Gardens/ corner of/ Old St, gold frame with glazed reverse
Oval, 78mm. (3 1/16ins.) high

The sitter is identified on the reverse of lot XXX. Thomas Garth was involved in the 1809 Expedition to the Scheldt. On 16th August, at the helm of the 38 gun frigate Impérieuse Garth, ascending the Scheldt after the other frigates, entered the Terneuse, instead of the Baerlandt channel, and became exposed to the fire of the Terneuse battery. In returning fire, the frigate discharged some Shrapnel shells; one of which, burst near the magazine of the fort, which contained 3000 barrels of powder, and a quantity of cartridges, causing an explosion that killed 75 men.